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NXP FRDM i.MX 95 Pro Pairs Six Cortex-A55 Cores with 8 eTOPS AI Acceleration

Aug 5, 2026 — by Giorgio Mendoza 242 views

NXP has released the FRDM i.MX 95 Pro, a development board designed for evaluating the company’s i.MX 95 applications processor in edge AI, industrial networking, robotics, vision processing, and advanced HMI applications.

The board uses the 19 × 19mm version of the i.MX 95 processor, integrating up to six Arm Cortex-A55 application cores alongside Cortex-M7 and Cortex-M33 cores for real-time and low-power processing. Its eIQ Neutron NPU provides up to 8 eTOPS of AI acceleration.

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FRDM i.MX 95 Pro block diagram
(click image to enlarge)

NXP describes the FRDM i.MX 95 Pro as a lower-cost evaluation platform that allows developers to examine the processor’s capabilities before moving to a production design. The board includes 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, 32GB of eMMC storage, QSPI NOR flash, and a microSD card slot.


FRDM i.MX 95 Pro botom view
(click image to enlarge)

Networking includes two Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 ports and a SlimSAS connector reserved for a 10GbE expansion card. The board also provides two high-speed CAN interfaces using TJA1057 transceivers.

Three M.2 sockets are located on the underside of the board. Two M.2 Key-M connectors expose single-lane PCIe interfaces for devices such as SSDs and AI accelerator modules, while an M.2 Key-E socket supports PCIe, USB, SDIO, SAI, UART, I²C, and SPI connectivity. The included Key-E wireless module provides Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and IEEE 802.15.4 connectivity. NXP also notes that the board supports its ARA2-M2-16G-GT AI accelerator module, rated at up to 40 eTOPS.


FRDM i.MX 95 Pro + ARA2-M2-16G-GT
(click image to enlarge)

Networking includes two Gigabit Ethernet ports, two CAN interfaces, and a SlimSAS connector for an optional 10GbE expansion card. Three M.2 sockets are located on the underside: two Key-M connectors for SSDs and accelerator modules, and one Key-E connector occupied by the included Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and IEEE 802.15.4 module.

NXP also lists support for its ARA2-M2-16G-GT AI accelerator, which provides up to 40 eTOPS through an M.2 Key-M interface.


ARA2-M2-16G-GT top view
(click image to enlarge)

Display and camera connectivity includes full-size HDMI, a dedicated four-lane MIPI CSI connector, and a second four-lane connector shared between MIPI CSI-2 and DSI. The shared connector cannot operate in camera and display modes simultaneously.

Additional interfaces include USB 3.0 Type-C, USB 2.0 Type-A, a dedicated USB-C debug port, a 3.5mm audio jack, two onboard digital microphones, and a 40-pin expansion header.

Specifications listed for the FRDM i.MX 95 Pro include:

  • Processor:
    • NXP i.MX 95 applications processor
      • 6× Arm Cortex-A55 cores
      • 1× Arm Cortex-M33 core
      • 1× Arm Cortex-M7 core
      • eIQ Neutron NPU with up to 8 eTOPS
  • Memory:
    • 16GB LPDDR5-6400
  • Storage:
    • 32GB eMMC
    • 512Mbit QSPI NOR flash
    • microSD card slot
    • EEPROM
  • Expansion:
    • 2× M.2 Key-M connectors for SSDs and AI accelerator modules
    • 1× M.2 Key-E connector
    • 2×20-pin expansion I/O header
    • 2×5-pin auxiliary power header
    • 1×4-pin I²C, ADC, and tamper header
  • Display:
    • 1× four-lane MIPI DSI/CSI 22-pin FPC connector
    • 1× HDMI output through an LVDS-to-HDMI converter
  • Camera:
    • 1× four-lane MIPI CSI 22-pin FPC connector
    • Shared MIPI DSI/CSI connector
  • Networking:
    • 2× Gigabit Ethernet ports
    • 1× 10GbE expansion connector
    • 2× CAN headers
  • Wireless:
    • M.2 wireless module based on the NXP IW612
    • Wi-Fi 6
    • Bluetooth 5.3
    • IEEE 802.15.4
  • USB:
    • 1× USB 3.0 Type-C port
    • 1× USB 2.0 Type-A port
    • 1× USB Type-C debug port
  • Audio:
    • 1× 3.5mm audio jack with MQS support
    • PDM microphone support
    • 2× onboard digital microphones
  • Debug:
    • USB-to-UART debug interface
    • Dedicated debug channels for the Cortex-A55, Cortex-M33, and Cortex-M7 domains
  • Power:
    • USB-C Power Delivery input
    • 65W or higher USB-PD supply recommended for full performance
  • Mechanical:
    • 100 × 90mm
    • 10-layer HDI PCB

Further Information

NXP lists the FRDM i.MX 95 Pro for $300, with stock currently pending. Mouser lists it for $314.99 on backorder, with five units expected by November 2, 2026.

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